Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 21
शिवाचार्याभिषेकविधिः / Rite of Consecrating a Śiva-Teacher (Śivācārya Abhiṣeka)
युगपद्वाथ संस्कारान्कुर्वीत सगणो गुरुः । तत्र यत्र द्वयं वापि प्रयोगस्योपदिश्यते
yugapadvātha saṃskārānkurvīta sagaṇo guruḥ | tatra yatra dvayaṃ vāpi prayogasyopadiśyate
Kemudian Guru—bersama para pembantu upacaranya—hendaklah melaksanakan saṃskāra (ritus penyucian/penahbisan) yang ditetapkan, sama ada serentak sekali gus atau menurut cara yang diajarkan. Di mana sahaja tatacara ritual mengajarkan dua pilihan, hendaklah ia bertindak menurutnya.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It emphasizes disciplined transmission: liberation-oriented Shaiva practice should be carried out under a competent Guru, following the prescribed procedure without arbitrariness—purity of method supports purity of intent.
Linga-worship involves specific saṃskāras (consecrations and ritual steps). The verse highlights that when the tradition gives two valid options in the prayoga, the Guru chooses and applies them correctly, ensuring Saguna Shiva worship is performed in an authorized way.
It points to performing prescribed saṃskāras under the Guru’s guidance—such as preparatory purifications and ordered ritual steps; when alternate methods are taught, follow the instructed option rather than improvising.